ˈdɛkədəns dɪˈdʒɛnəɹəsi dɪˌdʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən diːvəˈluːʃən passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities